AT FRANCISCO’S TABLE

Three months in Argentina bringing home fresh ideas and a renewed appetite for evolution. His table is now set for a new chapter.

In the Northern Rivers, Francisco’s Table has become one of those fixtures locals speak about with affection. For more than a decade, Francisco Smoje has been rolling out long tables in community halls across the Byron and Tweed hinterland, serving generous, share-style meals that draw people in for birthdays, family milestones or simply a night out.

The concept began in Sydney fifteen years ago when Francisco was cooking for the film industry and needed a creative outlet that wasn’t bound by set schedules or studio demands. The pop-ups were a way to cook purely for pleasure, a roaming restaurant that moved wherever people wanted to gather. When he relocated to Byron thirteen years ago, the project came with him and quickly found its place. It has since become one of the region’s most recognisable dining rituals: restaurant-quality food served family-style in community spaces that feel instantly comfortable.

Earlier this year, Francisco went back to Argentina, where he spent three months living with his family, reconnecting with old friends and spending time with the country’s new generation of cooks. He returned to Byron reinvigorated, fresh ideas tucked into his back pocket and ready to share those inspirations here in the Northern Rivers. The influence is already showing on the plate. There are new techniques, flavours shaped by memory and a sense of play that fits easily within his established style.

The food at Francisco’s Table has always been anchored in the Northern Rivers and shaped by the relationships he keeps with local growers. Every ingredient has a story – who grew it, where it came from, and the season it belongs to – and he can usually tell you all three. Menus lean on what is local and in season, but they are never generic. Francisco works closely with clients to build dishes around their own memories and favourite flavours, turning personal stories into something edible.

“To me, food is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and it gives me pleasure to share this with others,” Francisco says. That philosophy extends naturally to weddings and private events. Francisco’s Table catering brings the same rustic, generous spirit to barns, hinterland properties, corporate picnics and backyard soirees. Francisco cooks while his partner Emma hosts front of house, making every guest feel like family at the dinner table. The style is laidback and quietly confident, offering a dining experience that doesn’t sacrifice impact for simplicity.

Francisco’s Table remains, at its core, a place where people gather to eat well and feel welcome. The details evolve and the menus shift with the seasons, but the heart of it stays the same. It is food that brings people together, served with humility, care and a genuine love of the craft. With his recent trip still settling into his cooking, expect Francisco’s Table to feel a little different this season – shaped by Argentina yet rooted, as always, in the Northern Rivers. It’s a rare thing, watching someone this experienced choose to stay curious. Lucky for us, we get to eat the results.

Check out Francisco's Table at Savour the Tweed. Catering bookings open for your Spring/Summer events.

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